Roseanne Barr Claims "Planet of the Apes" Tweet Was About Anti-Semitism

TV Guide

Thursday

Jun 14, 2018 at 9:52 AM

Despite it being the cause of her downfall, Roseanne Barr is unable to stay away from Twitter, and she went on a tweetstorm Wednesday night where she claimed, among other things, that her tweet comparing former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett, a black woman, to a character from Planet of the Apes was actually about "the anti semitism of the Iran deal" and not an expression of racism.

Barr's claim is a stretch at best, and is probably more accurately characterized as a lie. Barr denies that she's ever "practiced 'RACISM,'" but the overt racism of the original tweet -- "Muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj" -- is what got Roseanne canceled.

Rod Serling wrote Planet of The Apes. It was about anti-semitism. That is what my tweet referred to-the anti semitism of the Iran deal. Low IQ ppl can think whatever they want.

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

She also gave an update on what she's been up to since her show was canceled -- "planting trees digging in the earth singing and feeling a great deal of relief" -- and thanked some friends who are helping her through her troubled time, including conservative news host Sean Hannity, comedian and Roseanne writer Norm Macdonald and Rosie O'Donnell, whom Barr said shows "support and love and understanding even when we disagree!"

Finally, she said she's "developed a bit of palsy in my head and hands due to the stress I have lived thru" and that she's sleeping a lot without Ambien, the prescription sleep aid she said she was under the influence of when she sent her racist tweet.

Her full tweetstorm is below.

1) I want u all2 know I'm fine. I've been using this time2 reflect &2 gain insight on what I said & how it was misunderstood.. Needless2 say I'm NOT what people have accused me of! I've never practiced "RACISM" in my entire life & never will. Meantime...(next page)

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

2) I've been watching this new doc called "Malcolm X: An overwhelming Influence on th Black Power Movement." Directed by my dear friend Thomas Muhammad (my campaign manager in 2012)who called me immediately when my show was canceled. https://t.co/honkeu54wlpassword-FINALXDRAFT

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

Thomas Muhammad has agreed to speak for me, as he knows the work I have done in civil rights against racism ALL MY LIFE & understands my tweet was about Iran's regime, not race-The website is: https://t.co/WdOaZ8C3eY

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

Rod Serling wrote Planet of The Apes. It was about anti-semitism. That is what my tweet referred to-the anti semitism of the Iran deal. Low IQ ppl can think whatever they want.

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

guys, I have been planting trees digging in the earth singing and feeling a great deal of relief. I will begin to speak for myself in media soon.

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

My mind went into deep shock and my body too. I see clearly now-

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

My faith is stronger today than ever before. I have faith in the American people to free their minds & unite.

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

I have developed a bit of palsy in my head and hands due to the stress I have lived thru-I sleep alot now-without ambien too, thank G0D!! goodnight-we are winning! don't give up! PEACE is coming!

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

i want to thank my dear friend, @Rosie for support and love and understanding even when we disagree! I LOVE YOU!

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

thank u to my friends @LionelMedia and @seanhannity @normmacdonald and my family & friends 4 helping me when I was broken.

— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) June 14, 2018

ABC is reportedly considering a Roseanne spin-off focused on Sara Gilbert's character that would not include Barr.